JP3363727B2 - Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge assembling method, and waste toner container assembling method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an assembling method of the process cartridge, and an assembling method of a waste toner container. Is.

[0002]

The present invention is a further development of the conventional technique described below.

The present invention relates to a process cartridge in which the same cleaning member can be used even if the required amount of waste toner is different, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is detachable, an assembling method of the process cartridge, and the process cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a waste toner container used in

Further, in a process cartridge having different required waste toner capacities, a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging means, and a cleaning frame in which a frame carrying these components is shared, and this process cartridge An object of the present invention is to provide a detachable electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an assembling method of this process cartridge, and an assembling method of a waste toner container used in this process cartridge.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) toner on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A cleaning member for removing the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum after transferring the image; and (c) a waste toner storage unit for storing the toner removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the cleaning member as waste toner. And the waste toner storage portion is a container-shaped first cleaning frame, and has a first opening facing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an upper portion apart from the first opening. A second opening opening toward the
Part of the opening of No. 1 is used as a supporting sheet metal of the cleaning member.
Thus the first and the cleaning frame which is closed, the second cleaning frame mounted so as to close the second opening, wherein the first cleaning frame is integrally
It is formed, and includes a side plate, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the vertical direction and partitions the space in which the waste toner storage portion and the photosensitive drum are stored, the bottom plate and the partition wall, A process cartridge characterized by being formed integrally with a side plate.

[0006]

A second aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the first aspect, wherein the first cleaning frame body and the second cleaning frame body are joined by ultrasonic welding.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the first cleaning frame supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum . 2 is the process cartridge according to the second invention.

A fourth invention according to the present application is the first to third inventions .
Any process cartridge of the invention is removable
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium .

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

A fifth invention according to the present application has an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a cleaning member for removing the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum after transferring the toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A method of assembling a process cartridge detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of selectively assembling process cartridges having different storage capacities of waste toner removed by the cleaning member, (A) The waste toner storage portion for storing the waste toner, the first opening portion for receiving the waste toner removed by the cleaning member into the waste toner storage portion, and the first opening portion. A second opening provided separately,
Yes and a lid mounting surface provided around the second opening
Then, a part of the first opening portion of the cleaning member is
It is the first cleaning frame that is closed by the support sheet metal.
Thus, a side wall, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the up-down direction and partitions the waste toner storage portion and the space in which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is stored, the bottom plate and the partition wall, Integral molding that is integrally formed with the side plate
Preparing a first cleaning frame which is, (b) the order to close the second opening, the step of preparing small and a second cleaning frame member of the internal volume for attachment to said lid mounting surface And (c) a step of preparing a second cleaning frame body having a large internal volume to be attached to the lid mounting surface to close the second opening, and (d) the first cleaning frame having a small internal volume. Two cleaning frame bodies and the selected one of the second cleaning frame bodies having a large inner volume, and the first cleaning frame body, and (e) after the coupling step, A step of assembling the cleaning member, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the first cleaning frame, and (f) thereafter, the first and second cleaning And a step of connecting a frame body and a toner developing frame body in which the developing means and the toner frame body are combined and integrated with each other. A method of assembling a process cartridge, wherein one cleaning frame is commonly used to selectively assemble process cartridges having different waste toner storage capacities.

A sixth invention according to the present application is the method for assembling a process cartridge according to the fifth invention, characterized in that process cartridges having the same waste toner storage capacity are assembled on the same line.

A seventh invention according to the present application is the fifth invention, characterized in that in one lot production for producing a predetermined quantity, process cartridges having the same waste toner storage capacity are assembled. It is a method of assembling the process cartridge described.

An eighth invention according to the present application is a method of assembling a waste toner container used in a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the storage capacity of the waste toner removed by the cleaning member is different. A method of assembling a waste toner container for selectively assembling a waste toner container used in a process cartridge, comprising: (a) a waste toner storage portion for storing waste toner, and a waste toner removed by the cleaning member. A first opening for receiving into the waste toner storage portion, and a second opening provided apart from the first opening,
Yes and a lid mounting surface provided around the second opening
Then, a part of the first opening portion of the cleaning member is
It is the first cleaning frame that is closed by the support sheet metal.
Thus, a side wall, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the up-down direction and partitions the waste toner storage portion and the space in which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is stored, the bottom plate and the partition wall, Integral molding that is integrally formed with the side plate
Preparing a first cleaning frame which is a step of preparing a (b) in order to close the second opening, smaller second cleaning frame of internal volume for attachment to said lid mounting surface (C) a step of preparing a second cleaning frame body having a large inner volume to be attached to the lid mounting surface to close the second opening, and (d) a second cleaning frame having a small inner volume. A method of assembling a waste toner container, comprising a step of connecting a selected one of the cleaning frame and the second cleaning frame having a large inner volume and the first cleaning frame.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the method of assembling a waste toner container according to the eighth aspect, characterized in that waste toner containers having the same waste toner storage capacity are assembled in the same assembly line.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the assembly line is provided as a pre-process of an assembly line of a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The waste toner container assembling method according to the ninth invention is characterized in that the waste toner container is arranged continuously in the line.

The eleventh invention of the present application is the tenth invention characterized in that the assembling method comprises assembling a waste toner container having the same waste toner storage capacity in one lot production for producing a predetermined quantity. It is the method for assembling the waste toner container described.

[0020]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a copying machine forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged photosensitive drum to form a latent image on a developer carrying member. The developer is attached to make it visible, and the developer image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image. In such a device, it is necessary to replenish the developer each time it runs out, but this replenishment work is not only troublesome,
It may be dirty. In addition, maintenance of each member can be performed only by a specialized service person, and the user is often inconvenient.

Therefore, the photosensitive drum, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means, and the like are integrated into a frame to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is loaded into the main body of the apparatus by the user to replenish the toner. It has been put into practical use that it is possible to replace parts such as a photoconductor drum that has reached the end of its life and facilitate maintenance.

In such a process cartridge, a charging means, a developing means accommodating toner (developer), and a cleaning means are arranged around an electrophotographic photosensitive drum which is an image carrier, and a cleaning frame and a developing means are provided. Frame,
The cartridge is integrally covered with a housing made of a toner frame to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The cleaning means will be described here.
The cleaning unit is configured by integrally incorporating a photosensitive drum, a cleaning blade, and a charging unit in one cleaning frame. Further, a waste toner storage portion is provided inside the cleaning frame, and the side facing the photosensitive drum as viewed from the waste toner storage portion is covered with a cleaning blade.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, an example is also described along with the description of the embodiment.

(First Embodiment) In the following description, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one mode of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. As will be described later, this laser beam printer has a removable process cartridge.

First, the process cartridge and the laser beam printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of the configuration of the laser beam printer, FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic explanatory views of the configuration of the process cartridge, FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the outer appearance of the process cartridge, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are cleaning units. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the developing unit, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a connecting member that connects the cleaning unit and the developing unit, FIG. 9 and FIG.
Reference numeral 0 is a configuration explanatory view of a mounting portion of the process cartridge.

Here, as the order of description, the overall structure of the laser beam printer and the process cartridge will be described, and then the structure of the photosensitive drum and its surroundings in the process cartridge will be described.

{Overall Structure} As shown in FIG. 3, this laser beam printer A scans light from a laser light source emitted according to image information with a rotating polygon mirror 1a, and also a lens 1b and a reflection mirror 1c. The optical means 1 for irradiating the light via the optical means 1 irradiates the photoconductor drum 7 as an electrophotographic photoconductor with the optical image based on the image information to form a toner image.

In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 such as transfer paper is reversely conveyed by the conveying means 3 including the cassette 3a, the pickup roller 3b, the conveying roller pairs 3c and 3d, and the registration roller pair 3e. In addition, in the image forming unit formed as the process cartridge B, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 serving as a transfer unit.

Further, while the recording medium 2 after the transfer of the toner image is guided by the guide member 3f, a fixing roller 5b having a heater 5a therein and a driving roller 5c for pressing and conveying the recording medium 2 against the fixing roller 5b are fixed. It is conveyed to the means 5 and the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 3g, 3h, 3i,
The sheet is discharged to the discharging section 6 through the reverse conveyance path 3j. Regarding the discharge, the swingable flapper 3
It is also possible to operate k and discharge straightly by the discharge roller pair 3m without passing through the reverse conveyance path 3j.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, as shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and its surface is applied with a voltage to a charging roller 8 as a charging means. Is uniformly charged, the light image from the optical means 1 is exposed on the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 26 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 9 which is a developing device. ing.

In the developing means 9, the toner in the toner storage portion 9a is fed by the toner feeding member 9b, the developing roller 9c having a fixed magnet is rotated, and the stirring member 9 is used.
e, a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge has been applied by the developing blade 9d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image to form a toner image, which is visible. Image.

Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 10a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and Waste toner reservoir 1 which is a waste toner storage portion with the squishy sheet 13i
The cleaning means 10 collecting to 0b removes the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7.

Each component such as the photosensitive drum 7 is housed in a cartridge frame body which is formed by connecting a toner container 11 and a developing frame body 12, and a cleaning frame body 13 to the cartridge body. The process cartridge B is removably attached to the cartridge attaching means provided in the apparatus main body 14 of the laser beam printer A.

The cartridge mounting means is the opening / closing member 1.
When 5 is rotated counterclockwise about the support shaft 15a and opened, a cartridge mounting space is provided as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the cartridge mounting guide member 16 is provided on the left and right inner side surfaces of the apparatus main body 14. It is attached. The left and right guide members 16 are two guide portions 16 for guiding the dowels 13a, the long guides 12a, and the short guides 13b on both sides of the process cartridge B shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.
a and 16b are provided facing each other. This guide part 16
Insert the process cartridge B along a, 16b,
After the dowel 13a is fitted in the positioning portion 16f and the rotation receiving portion 13c (see FIG. 4) of the process cartridge B is supported by the rotation stopping portion 16g below the optical means 1 of the apparatus body 14, the opening / closing member 15 is opened. By closing, the positioning attachment of the process cartridge B to the laser beam printer A is completed.

By this positioning and mounting, the photosensitive drum 7
A drum gear (helical gear) 7b attached to one end of the device by press fitting, caulking or the like meshes with a drive gear 33 (see FIG. 10) on the apparatus main body side, and a transmission gear (flat gear) attached to the other end. The tooth gear) 7c (see FIG. 6) meshes with a gear (not shown) fixed to the core shaft of the transfer roller 4. Further, a sleeve gear (a helical gear) 9g (see FIG. 7) of a developing roller 9c meshes with the drum gear 7b of the photosensitive drum 7.

Therefore, the rotational driving force of the drive gear 33 on the apparatus main body 14 side is transmitted to the drum gear 7b to rotate the photosensitive drum 7, and at the same time, the driving force is transmitted to the sleeve gear 9g via the drum gear 7b. The developing roller 9c rotates. Further, the driving force is transmitted to the gear of the transfer roller 4 via the transmission gear 7c of the photoconductor drum 7 and the transfer roller 4
Rotates.

A handle portion 17 and ribs 23, 24 are provided as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 so that the process cartridge B can be easily held when the process cartridge B is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 14. is there. Further, the process cartridge B is provided with a drum shutter 18 (see FIG. 5) which is opened / closed in association with the attachment / detachment to / from the image forming apparatus A. When the process cartridge B is taken out from the image forming apparatus A, the drum shutter 18 is closed and the photosensitive member is exposed. It is designed to protect the drum 7.

{Construction of Housing} The process cartridge B includes the toner container 11 and the developing frame 12 as described above.
The cleaning frame 13 and the cleaning frame 13 are combined to form a housing, which will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toner container 11 has a toner accommodating portion 9a and a toner feeding member 9b attached thereto. Further, the developing roller 9c is provided on the developing device frame 12.
Further, a developing blade 9d is attached, and a stirring member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably attached near the developing roller 9c. The toner container 11 and the developing device frame 12 are welded together to form an integral developing unit.

The cleaning frame 13 has a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 8 and a cleaning blade 10a.
The respective members are attached, and when the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body 14, the photosensitive drum 7 is covered, and the drum shutter 18 for protecting the photosensitive drum 7 is attached to form a cleaning unit. The incorporation of the photosensitive drum 7 into the cleaning frame 13 will be described in detail later together with the configuration of the photosensitive drum 7 described later.

Then, the process cartridge B is constructed by connecting the developing unit and the cleaning unit with a connecting member. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the arm portions 1 formed on both sides of the developing device frame 12 in the longitudinal direction.
A rotation shaft 20 is provided at the tip of the rotation shaft 9, and the rotation shaft 20 is provided at two positions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13.
A recess 21 is provided for positioning and locking (FIG. 6).
reference). The rotary shaft 20 is inserted into the concave portion 21, and
A convex portion 22a, a compression coil spring pressure spring 22b,
By snap-fitting the connecting member 22 integrally having the locking claw 22c to the cleaning frame 13, the rotary shaft 20 is held by the convex portion 22a in the concave portion 21, and the developing unit and the cleaning unit rotate. The developing roller 9c is rotatably connected about the shaft 20, and the developing roller 9c is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by the weight of the developing unit. At this time, the pressure spring 22 attached to the coupling member 22
By urging the developing frame 12 downward by b,
The developing roller 9c is surely pressed against the photosensitive drum 7.
Therefore, the developing roller 9c is provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c.
Since a spacer ring 9f (see FIG. 7) having a radius slightly larger than c is attached, the spacer ring 9f is pressed against the photoconductor drum 7, and the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing roller 9c are separated by a constant distance (about (About 300 μm)
Face each other.

Incidentally, the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c
Since the interval between and is closely related to the density of the image, high accuracy is required. In the embodiment, the interval is about 300 μm ± 30 μ.
It is designed to fit within m. That is, since the spacing is controlled only by the spacer rings 9f attached to the left and right of the developing roller 9c, the roundness tolerance of the photosensitive drum 7 is about 15 so that there is no density difference in the embodiment.
Designed to fit within μm, the gap difference between left and right is about 1
It is designed to fit within 5 μm.

{Construction of Cleaning Frame Body} The cleaning frame body 13 will now be described. Cleaning frame 13
Is composed of two cleaning frames 13A and 13B,
The photosensitive drum 7, the cleaning blade 10a, and the charging roller 8 are integrally incorporated in one cleaning frame 13A. In addition, the cleaning frame 13A,
A waste toner reservoir 10b is provided inside 13B, and the first opening 13A1 of the waste toner reservoir 10b of the first cleaning frame 13A facing the photoconductor drum 7 is provided with a cleaning member, that is, the cleaning blade 10a. It is covered with a supporting sheet metal 10c which is welded and adhered to. Here, a supporting blade metal 10c for a cleaning blade having a short width.
The first opening 13A1 covered with the supporting sheet metal 10c of the cleaning blade of the cleaning frame 13 is provided small so that it can be covered with. Here, since the cleaning frame body 13A is molded from resin, the structure of the conventional molding die with one integrated cleaning frame body generally has the structure shown in FIG. Here, if the opening 13A1 is made smaller, the waste toner reservoir 10b becomes smaller due to the structure of the molding dies 35a, 35b as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the second opening 13A2 is required in order to secure a large waste toner reservoir 10b due to the molding die structure. Therefore, the second opening portion 13A2 is provided in the cleaning frame 1
Covered with 3B. The cleaning frame body 13A and the cleaning frame body 13B are joined together by means of vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, screwing or the like so that the toner does not leak. Further, when the cleaning frame body 13A and the cleaning frame body 13B are combined, the cleaning frame body 13 as a whole has a box shape due to the structure around the coupling portion as described later, so that the rigidity of the cleaning frame body 13 is improved and the image is adversely affected. Vibration can be suppressed and image quality can be improved. The process cartridge B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a long life and a large-capacity waste toner reservoir 10b, but as shown in FIG. 14, it is a small process cartridge compatible with a small and thin main body. The same cleaning blade 10a can be used for the above.

The above-mentioned first cleaning frame 13A is
The recess 2 for coupling with the developing unit as already described.
1 is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the cleaning blade 10a and the charging roller 8 are attached between the opposite surfaces of the side plate 13A5 on the inner side in the longitudinal direction which constitutes the recess 21, and the outer wall in the longitudinal direction which constitutes the recess 21. The photoconductor drum 7 is attached between them (see FIG. 6).

The width of the first opening 13A1 facing the photosensitive drum 7 is narrowed by the first cleaning frame 13A, and a space for accommodating the waste toner reservoir 10b, the photosensitive drum 7 and the charging roller 8 is formed. The partition wall 13A3, the cleaning blade 10a, and the support sheet metal 10c partition the space between them, and the opening 13A1 is opened only between the end of the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning blade 10a and between the squi sheet 13i. The length of the first opening 13A1 is substantially the same as the length of the cleaning blade 10a or the charging roller 8.

Therefore, the waste toner reservoir 10b is defined by the first cleaning frame 13A, the cleaning blade 10a as the cleaning means, and the supporting sheet metal 10c except the upper part. And the first cleaning frame 1
3A is a bottom plate 13A4, an inner side plate 13A5, a partition wall 1
3A3 constitutes a part of the periphery of the waste toner reservoir 10b, supports the charging roller 8 and the photoconductor drum 7 described above, connects the developing unit and the cleaning unit with the connecting member 22, and adds a compression coil spring. Pressure spring 22b
Therefore, the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c are pressed against each other.

A flange 13A6 is provided on the edge of the second opening 13A2 of the first cleaning frame 13A so as to surround a part of the upper surface plate 13A8, and the upper surface of the flange 13A6 is surrounded. It has a groove 13A7. On the other hand, the second cleaning frame body 13B coupled to the first cleaning frame body 13A is also provided with a protrusion 13B2 on the lower surface, which is fitted into the groove 13A7 provided on the flange 13A6 of the first cleaning frame body 13A. A flange 13B3 is provided. Then, the groove 13A7 and the protrusion 13B2 are welded or adhered by the joining method already described.

The first cleaning frame 13A and the second cleaning frame 13A
The cleaning frame 13B of the second cleaning frame 1
The dowel 13B1 provided on the 3B is attached to the first cleaning frame 1
3A partition wall 13A3 Flange 1 bent from the upper end
3B3 is fitted in a hole (not shown) in the portion 3B3, and the groove 13
A7 is positioned.

As described above, the first cleaning frame 1
3A is provided with a partition wall 13A3 in the vertical direction, and the second opening 13A2 is closed by the first cleaning frame 13B, so that the first cleaning frame 13A and the second cleaning frame 13B are superposed. Since they are joined by sonic welding or the like, the box-shaped cleaning frame 13 is formed as a whole, and the rigidity is increased.

Particularly, since the partition plate wall 13A3 is provided in the vertical direction, the rigidity of the cleaning frame is increased. The flanges 13A6 and 13B3 are provided around the second opening 13A2, and the flanges 13A6 and 13B3 are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like, so that the rigidity of the cleaning frame body 13 is further enhanced.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning means 1
0 is composed of two cleaning frames 13A and 13B, and one cleaning frame 13A has a photosensitive drum 7,
The cleaning blade 10a and the charging roller 8 are integrally incorporated. Also, the cleaning frame 13
A waste toner reservoir 10b is provided inside A, and the waste toner reservoir 10b is used as a cleaning blade supporting sheet metal 10c.
Covered with. Here, the opening 13A1 of the cleaning frame 13A covered by the cleaning blade supporting sheet metal 10c is provided so as to be covered with the small cleaning blade supporting sheet metal 10c. Here, since the cleaning frame 13A is made of resin, an opening is additionally required in order to secure a large waste toner reservoir 10b because of the molding die structure. Therefore, a second opening 13A2 that intersects the first opening 13A1 is provided on the upper left side of the cleaning frame 13A so as to open upward.
Therefore, the opening 13A2 is provided in the cleaning frame 13B.
Covered with. The cleaning frame body 13A and the cleaning frame body 13B are joined together by means of vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, screwing or the like so that the toner does not leak.

Further, here, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning frame body 13 having a larger internal volume than the cleaning frame body 13B.
When C is used instead of the cleaning frame 13B, the cleaning frame 13A and the process means associated with the cleaning frame 13A can be used as they are. In other words, simply change the size of the second cleaning frame to collect the waste toner 1
The capacity of 0b can be changed.

When the process cartridge is recycled, the cleaning frame 13B or 13C covering the opening 13A2 of the waste toner reservoir 10b is stripped with a dedicated tool to discard the waste toner inside, and the same cleaning frame 13 is removed.
B or 13C can be re-welded and used as a recycle cleaning unit.

Further, since the cleaning frame 13B can be stripped off and the cleaning frame 13C covering the opening 13A2 can be re-welded so as to form a waste toner reservoir of another size, it can be used as a recycle cleaning unit having a different capacity. it can.

What has been described above is mainly the toner storage portion 9a and the waste toner reservoir (waste toner storage portion) 10b of the toner container 11 that stores a medium amount of toner.

Here, in FIG. 2, as a method of increasing the number of sheets that can be printed by one process cartridge B, a method of increasing the capacity of the toner storage portion 9a in the toner container 11 and increasing the capacity of the waste toner reservoir 10b is adopted. This is the process cartridge B.

In FIG. 2, the handle 17 shown in FIG. 1 has no concave portion. The upper left surface of the toner container 11 in FIG. 2 has a flat plate shape. By doing so, the volume of the toner storage portion 9a increases, and the amount of toner stored increases. As a result, waste toner also increases. Therefore, the waste toner reservoir 10 of the cleaning frame 13 is
It is necessary to increase the volume of b. Therefore, the first cleaning frame body 13A is left as it is, and the second cleaning frame body 13C is swollen to make the second cleaning frame body 13
The internal volume is made larger than that of B to correspond to the increased amount of the generated waste toner.

In the process cartridge having medium and large capacity toners shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first cleaning frame 13A, the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the cleaning blade 10a, the developing frame 12 and the developing roller 9c. The same developing blade 9d and stirring member 9e are used. The cleaning blade 10a can also be used for a process cartridge B that is attached to and detached from a small and thin apparatus body (not shown) as shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 3) A method of assembling a process cartridge will be described.

This process cartridge B includes a toner container 11 incorporating a toner feeding member 9b and a developing roller 9
c, the developing blade 9d, the developing frame 12 incorporating the stirring member 9e and the like are welded (for example, ultrasonically welded), the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the cleaning blade 10a, and the like to the cleaning frame 13. The incorporated cleaning unit is connected as already described.

As described above, this assembling method includes the following steps. (1) A step of incorporating the toner feeding member 9b into the toner container 11. (2) Toner seal 1 is provided on the opening 11a of the toner container 11.
Step of sealing with 1b. (3) A step of filling the toner container 11 with toner. (4) A step of joining the toner container 11 and the developing frame 12 by ultrasonic welding or the like. (5) A step of incorporating the developing roller 9c, the developing blade 9d, and the stirring rod 9e in the developing frame body 12 to which the toner container 11 is joined. (6) Cleaning frame 13A and cleaning frame 13
A step of obtaining the cleaning frame body 13 by combining B and joining them by ultrasonic welding or the like. (7) Cleaning blade 9 on the cleaning frame 13
Step of assembling a, the photosensitive drum 7, and the charging roller 8 to form a cleaning unit. (8) A step of connecting the toner developing unit and the cleaning unit with the connecting member 22. The process cartridge is completed.

Here, the first cleaning frame 13A in the above (6) has the same shape and size, and the cleaning frame 13C may be coupled to the cleaning frame 13A instead of the cleaning frame 13B.

The above-mentioned process is continuously produced by a flow process. Waste toner reservoir 10 obtained by such a process
As a method for producing the cleaning frame bodies 13 having different sizes b, (1) a production line is provided for each of the cleaning frame bodies 13B and 13C. (2) There is one production line, and a fixed cleaning frame 13A and a different cleaning frame 13 are provided for each lot.
Bind B or 13C. (3) Mixed production. That is, a process is adopted in which the production line is made flexible and the cleaning frame body 13B or 13C is supplied and coupled to the cleaning frame body 13A by a timely command in one production line.

With such a process, with respect to the cleaning unit, a plurality of different kinds of frame bodies flow on the main assembly line, but since the members attached to these frame bodies are the same, only the frame body is selected. If it is made to flow normally, process cartridges having different waste toner storage capacities can be obtained.

[0067]

EXAMPLES Described in the description of the embodiments.

[0068]

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, it is possible to use a process cartridge having a different waste toner capacity or a cleaning blade of a cleaning device.

Further, the first cleaning frame is integrally formed.
Since it is shaped, it is not necessary to increase the number of parts so much.
In addition, the bottom plate and partition wall should be connected together with the side plate.
The cleaning portion is formed by further forming a part of the first opening.
The rigidity of the cleaning frame is improved by being closed by the supporting metal plate of the material .

[0070] Further accommodate the waste toner container life because it can be provided efficiently, the waste toner retract and unit process cartridge requires a large capacity on the cleaning frame body portion. That is, the capacity of the waste toner storage portion can be increased.

Further, the process cartridges having different waste toner capacities, the cleaning frame of the cleaning device and the process means associated therewith can be commonly used.

When the process cartridge is recycled, the second cleaning frame that covers the opening of the waste toner container is stripped with a special tool, the waste toner inside is discarded, and the second cleaning frame is re-welded to perform recycle cleaning. Can be used as a unit.

Since the second cleaning frame for covering the opening of the waste toner container of another size can be re-welded, it can be used as a recycle cleaning unit having a different capacity.

According to the method of assembling the process cartridge or the waste toner container of the present invention, the volume of the waste toner accommodating portion of the first cleaning frame is kept constant and the second cleaning chamber having the inner volume of two or more types is used. By selectively incorporating the cleaning frame into the first cleaning frame, it is possible to obtain a process cartridge or a waste toner container having two or more kinds of waste toner capacities in one assembly line, and only one assembly line is required. .

[Brief description of drawings]

11 and 12 show the embodiments of the present invention,

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge according to the second embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge according to the second embodiment as viewed from below.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developing unit.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a coupling member.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view of a mold structure of a conventional cleaning frame.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view in which the opening of the cleaning frame is reduced in the conventional molding die structure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory view of the mold structure of the cleaning frame of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a process cartridge including the cleaning blade according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Laser beam printer B ... Process cartridge 1 ... Optical means 1a ... Polygon mirror 1b ... Lens
1c ... Reflecting mirror 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Conveying means 3a ... Cassette 3b ... Pickup roller 3c, 3d ... Conveying roller pair 3e ... Registration roller pair 3f ... Guide member 3g, 3h, 3i ... Ejecting roller pair 3j ... Reversing conveying path 3k ... flapper 3m ... discharge roller pair 4 ... transfer roller 5 ... fixing means 5a ... heater 5b ... fixing roller 5c
... Drive roller 6 ... Ejection section 7 ... Photosensitive drum 7b ... Drum gear (lotus gear)
7c ... Transmission gear (spur tooth gear) 8 ... Charging roller 9 ... Developing means 9a ... Toner storage portion 9b ... Toner feeding member 9c ... Developing roller 9d ... Developing blade 9e ...
Stirring member 9g ... Sleeve gear (helical gear) 10 ... Cleaning means 10a ... Cleaning blade 10
b ... Waste toner reservoir 10c ... Support metal plate 11 ... Toner container 11a ... Opening 11b ... Toner seal 12 ... Development frame 12a ... Longitudinal guide 13 ... Cleaning frame 13a ... Dowel 13b ... Short guide 13c ... Rotation receiving part 13i ... Squishy sheet
13A, 13B ... Cleaning frame 13A1 ... First opening 13A2 ... Second opening 13A3 ... Partition wall 13A4 ... Bottom plate 13A5 ... Side plate 13A6 ... Flange 13A7 ... Groove 13A8 ... Top plate 13B1 ... Dowel 13B2 ... Projection 13B3 ... Flange 13C ... Cleaning frame 14 ... Device body 15 ... Opening / closing member 16 ... Cartridge mounting guide members 16a, 16b ...
Guide portion 16f ... Positioning portion 16g ... Rotation stop portion 17 ... Handle portion 18 ... Drum shutter 19 ... Arm portion 20 ... Rotating shaft 21 ... Recessed portion 22 ... Coupling member 22a ... Convex portion 22b ... Pressure spring 2
2c ... Locking claw 23 ... Rib 24 ... Rib 26 ... Exposure opening 33 ... Drive gears 35a, 35b ... Mold

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeo Miyabe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-7-295385 (JP, A) JP-A-7-295385 -160163 (JP, A) JP-A-6-186887 (JP, A) JP-A-4-343367 (JP, A) JP-A-6-130877 (JP, A) JP-A-6-19241 (JP, A) ) JP-A-8-146693 (JP, A) JP-A-7-230210 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 3-63158 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/10 G03G 21/16-21/18

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum after transferring a toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A cleaning member that removes the removed toner, and (c) a waste toner storage unit that stores the toner removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the cleaning member as waste toner. The waste toner storage unit is a container. Yes a first cleaning frame of Jo, a first opening facing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a second opening that opens upward away from the first opening, the The front part of the first opening
The first sheet which is blocked by the supporting sheet metal of the cleaning member
A cleaning frame; and a second cleaning frame attached so as to close the second opening, the first cleaning frame being integrally molded,
A side wall, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the up-down direction to partition the space in which the waste toner storage portion and the photosensitive drum are stored are provided, and the bottom plate and the partition wall are integrally connected to the side plate. Process cartridge characterized by being formed by. 2. The first cleaning frame body and the second cleaning frame body
The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning frame body is joined by ultrasonic welding. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning frame supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging unit that charges the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 4. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge according to claim 1 is detachably mountable and which forms an image on a recording medium. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a cleaning member that removes toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum after transferring a toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A method for assembling a detachable process cartridge, comprising: (a) accommodating waste toner, wherein the process cartridge assembly method selectively assembles process cartridges having different storage capacities for the waste toner removed by the cleaning member. For storing the waste toner, a first opening for receiving the waste toner removed by the cleaning member into the waste toner storage, and a second opening provided apart from the first opening. And the opening of
Yes and a lid mounting surface provided around the second opening
Then, a part of the first opening portion of the cleaning member is
It is the first cleaning frame that is closed by the support sheet metal.
Thus, a side wall, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the up-down direction and partitions the waste toner storage portion and the space in which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is stored, the bottom plate and the partition wall, Integral molding that is integrally formed with the side plate
Preparing a first cleaning frame which is, (b) the order to close the second opening, the step of preparing small and a second cleaning frame member of the internal volume for attachment to said lid mounting surface And (c) a step of preparing a second cleaning frame body having a large internal volume to be attached to the lid mounting surface to close the second opening, and (d) the first cleaning frame having a small internal volume. Two cleaning frame bodies and the selected one of the second cleaning frame bodies having a large inner volume, and the first cleaning frame body, and (e) after the coupling step, A step of assembling the cleaning member, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the first cleaning frame, and (f) thereafter, the first and second cleaning And a step of connecting the frame body and the toner developing frame body in which the developing means and the toner frame body are combined and integrated to each other. 1. A method of assembling a process cartridge, wherein the same cleaning frame is commonly used to selectively assemble process cartridges having different waste toner storage capacities. 6. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the assembly method comprises assembling process cartridges having the same waste toner storage capacity in the same line. 7. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the assembly method comprises assembling process cartridges having the same waste toner storage capacity in one lot production for producing a predetermined quantity. 8. A method of assembling a waste toner container used in a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the waste toner used in a process cartridge having a different storage capacity for the waste toner removed by a cleaning member. A method of assembling a waste toner container for selectively assembling a container, comprising: (a) a waste toner storage portion for storing waste toner and a waste toner removed by the cleaning member into the waste toner storage portion. A first opening, and a second opening provided apart from the first opening,
Yes and a lid mounting surface provided around the second opening
Then, a part of the first opening portion of the cleaning member is
It is the first cleaning frame that is closed by the support sheet metal.
Thus, a side wall, a bottom plate, and a partition wall that extends in the up-down direction and partitions the waste toner storage portion and the space in which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is stored, the bottom plate and the partition wall, Integral molding that is integrally formed with the side plate
Preparing a first cleaning frame which is a step of preparing a (b) in order to close the second opening, smaller second cleaning frame of internal volume for attachment to said lid mounting surface (C) a step of preparing a second cleaning frame body having a large inner volume to be attached to the lid mounting surface to close the second opening, and (d) a second cleaning frame having a small inner volume. A method of assembling a waste toner container, comprising a step of connecting a selected one of the cleaning frame and the second cleaning frame having a large inner volume and the first cleaning frame. 9. The method of assembling a waste toner container according to claim 8, wherein waste toner containers having the same waste toner storage capacity are assembled on the same assembly line. 10. The assembly line is provided as a pre-process of an assembly line of a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and is arranged continuously to the assembly line of the process cartridge. The method for assembling a waste toner container according to claim 9, wherein the waste toner container is assembled. 11. The method of assembling a waste toner container according to claim 10, wherein the assembling method comprises assembling a waste toner container having the same waste toner storage capacity in one lot production for producing a predetermined quantity. .